5 More Star Products from the Big Beauty Try-On 2012

Several items in this year’s Big Beauty Try-On required a bit more grooming know-how than it takes to slather on sunscreen. So we decided to give this subset of beyond-the-basics goods not just to Opinionistas but also to some especially beauty-savvy More staffers. Our goal: To see if the ends (the way your hair or skin looks) justify the means (the extra effort it takes to use these products). The findings? These five were deemed worth your precious time.

by Genevieve Monsma

Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep

This leave-in conditioner promises to add volume—which sounded contradictory to us. And fine-haired Daniela Jelaska, assistant editor, said that the first time she applied this conditioning product “generously,” as advised on the bottle, it did weigh down her hair. “But the next time I used it, I sprayed in less—just two or three spritzes—and that gave me betterresults. My blowout held and looked super thick and full. I will definitely continue to use this.”

Bare Minerals Well-Rested Face & Eye Brightener

A cross between a concealer and a highlighter, this pen-style product won raves from staffers(particularly those with sleep-inhibiting small children). “I dab it on the tops of my cheekbones and around my eyes, and I feelas if I look refreshed,” says Susan Swimmer, contributing fashion features editor and mother of two. Swimmer also mixed it with her foundation to give her whole face a subtle glow.

This skin-care product can beapplied directly to dark spots once or twice a day—or every hour or so, if you’re More photo director Natasha Lunn. In fact, Lunn’s acceleration of the schedule did seem to yield fast results. After just one week of (very) regular application, the sunspots on her hands were nearly invisible.

Fekkai PRX Reparative 3-Day Transformation ($100; fekkai.com)

This strand-strengthening leave-in conditioning spray (divided into three daily single-dose vials) is so intense, it supposedly repairs your hair in just 72 hours. We gave it to both fine- and coarse-haired test-ers, and they all said it left their hair softer, shinier and less frizzy. Fine-haired Laura Sinberg, a More features editor, also noted that she didn’t use up the three vials, suggesting that if your hair is short or fine, one vial may last you two or even three days—leaving you with enough product for another round of hair reviving in a few months.

An eye serum would not ordinarily be challenging to use: Pump, dab, done—right? But this new treatment from Lancôme also boasts an untraditional applicator with a rotating metal ball at the tip. Its purpose? To massage in the serum, stimulate blood flow and diminish puffiness. Once testers got the hang of it, most said it felt good. Really good. “I grew to quite like that applicator,” said Jennifer Braunschweiger, deputy editor. “It felt nice and cool and helped distribute the product.” Swimmer concurred: “The metal ball is cooling and feels great.”